Reconfigurable sled for a mobile device

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable sled for a mobile device with camera is provided. The reconfigurable sled may be moved into different configurations in order to facilitate either normal or specialized use. For example, in a first configuration, the mobile device&#39;s camera is unobstructed and imaging may proceed normally. In a second configuration, on the other hand, the camera&#39;s imaging direction may be repositioned by a reflective element in the camera&#39;s optical path. The reflective element provides feedback to the mobile device via visible markings that may be imaged by the camera and detected by the mobile device. If the mobile device determines that the mirror is in the optical path, then the mobile device may respond to accommodate the mirror and enable a function, like reading an indicium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/967,536 for a Reconfigurable Sled for a Mobile Device filedDec. 14, 2015 (and published Jun. 30, 2016 as U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2016/0188940), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,721,132, which claims the benefitof Chinese Patent Application for Utility Model No. 201420862309.7 for aReconfigurable Sled for a Mobile Device filed Dec. 31, 2014 at the StateIntellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China. Each ofthe foregoing patent applications, patent publication, and patent ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of electronic deviceaccessories and, more specifically, to a reconfigurable sled to expandthe capabilities of a mobile device.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistant(PDA), etc.) that include built-in cameras are widely available toconsumers. Typically, these cameras are placed on the side of theelectronic device opposite the primary user-interface (e.g., atouch-screen and/or keypad). In other words, the cameras are typicallyplaced on the backside of the mobile device.

For certain functions (e.g., indicia reading), pointing the end (i.e.,edge) of the mobile device at the intended target is more familiar to auser. When pointing the mobile device in this manner, however, thecamera is facing downward rather than at the target.

An optical redirection adapter for redirecting the imaging of a mobiledevice has been disclosed (e.g., US 20140232930 A1, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety). This adapter is fixedand cannot be reconfigured. In other words, to use the mobile device'scamera normally, a user must remove the adapter. In addition, thisadapter does not communicate with the mobile device.

Scanning sleds (i.e., sleds) are commercially available (e.g., HONEYWELLCAPTUVO™) to adapt a mobile device for indicia reading. The sledtypically surrounds the mobile device like a case and leaves thegraphical user interface (GUI) and camera exposed. The sled is an activedevice and may include a power source, a scanning subsystem (e.g., laserscanner or imaging scanner) a processor (e.g., a microcontroller (MCU)),an illumination subsystem, and/or an aiming subsystem. These devices arecommunicatively coupled with the mobile device (e.g., electricalconnection, BLUETOOTH, etc.) and may be controlled by applicationsrunning on the mobile device. As a result, these devices may beexpensive and bulky.

Therefore, a need exists for a reconfigurable sled that (i) has theperformance of a traditional scanning sled but without the added costand bulkiness and (ii) performs like a fixed adapter but withoutlimiting a user's use of the mobile device's camera.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces areconfigurable sled for a mobile device with a camera. The sled includesa frame for holding the mobile device. The frame is configured withguides running along two sides. The sled also includes a cover having aplurality of hinged panels engaged with the guides so that the panelsmay be slid along the guides and folded into different configurations.At least one of the hinged panels is attached to the frame at one end sothat as the panels are slid along the guides, they may be folded intodifferent configurations. In a first configuration, the hinged panelslie flat over the mobile-device's back surface and permit the camera anunobstructed view. In a second configuration, two of the hinged panelsare folded to form a peak over the mobile-device's back surface andredirect the camera's field-of-view using a reflective element affixedto one of the folded hinged panels.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reconfigurable sled's hinged panelsinclude three hinged panels. A window panel with an aperture for thecamera to image through is hingedly attached to the frame along thewindow-panel's top edge. A mirror panel with a reflective element forfolding the camera's imaging direction is hingedly attached to thewindow panel's bottom edge. A slider panel for repositioning the windowpanel and the mirror panel is hingedly attached to the mirror panel'sbottom edge and engaged on the slider panel's sides by the frame'sguides so that the slider panel is free to slide within the guides andso that the slider panel holds the mobile device in the frame.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a method to enable amobile device mounted in a reconfigurable sled for indicia reading. Themethod includes the step of acquiring images using the mobile device'simaging subsystem. The imaging subsystem includes a camera and anilluminator. The method also includes the step of sliding a mirrormounted on the reconfigurable sled into the camera's field-of-view. Inthis position, the mirror changes the imaging direction of the camera.The mirror has visible markings, and the method includes the step ofenabling the mobile device for indicia reading when these visiblemarkings are detected and properly located in the acquired images.

In an exemplary embodiment, enabling the mobile device for indiciareading includes activating the camera's illuminator.

In another exemplary embodiment, enabling the mobile device for indiciareading includes rotating the acquired images.

In another exemplary embodiment, enabling the mobile device for indiciareading includes adjusting an autofocus algorithm controlling anautofocus lens that is part of the mobile device's camera.

In another exemplary embodiment, enabling the mobile device for indiciareading includes starting or stopping an application running on themobile device.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces an indicia-readingsystem. The system includes a mobile device that has a camera, anilluminator, and a processor. The processor is configured for runningapplications. The system also includes a reconfigurable sled. Thereconfigurable sled is configured for holding the mobile device and isenabled to change the mobile device's imaging characteristics. In thisregard, the reconfigurable sled has a mirror to redirect the camera'simaging direction when the mirror is moved into the camera'sfield-of-view. The mirror has visible markings that appear in imagestaken of the field-of-view when the field-of-view is reflected from themirror. An indicia reading application running on the mobile deviceconfigures the mobile device to (i) acquire images, (ii) analyze theacquired images for the visible markings, and (iii) adjust the mobiledevice for indicia reading if the visible markings are detected.

In an exemplary embodiment, a lens is integrated with the reconfigurablesled for adjusting the focus of the camera when the mirror is moved intothe camera's field-of-view.

In another exemplary embodiment, the reconfigurable sled includes amotion control subsystem for moving the mirror; the motion controlsubsystem is electrically coupled to the mobile device and controllableby the indicia reading application.

In another exemplary embodiment, the indicia reading system includes anaimer subsystem for projecting an aiming pattern into the camera'sfield-of-view to help a user align an indicium for reading. In onepossible embodiment, the light for the aimer subsystem is provided bythe mobile device's illuminator. In another possible embodiment, anaimer light source (e.g., light emitting diode) is included in theindicia reading system that is separate from the mobile device.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplaryobjectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in whichthe same are accomplished, are further explained within the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 graphically depicts three views of an exemplary mobile device.

FIG. 2 graphically depicts a front and back perspective view of anexemplary embodiment of the reconfigurable sled for a mobile device.

FIG. 3 graphically depicts a side view of an exemplary mobile device andthe directions corresponding to an exemplary first configuration and anexemplary second configuration.

FIG. 4 graphically depicts a sectional side view of an exemplaryembodiment of the reconfigurable sled in a first configuration and asecond configuration.

FIG. 5 graphically depicts a sectional side view of an exemplaryembodiment the reconfigurable sled in a first configuration and a secondconfiguration.

FIG. 6 graphically depicts a sectional side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a locking feature used to lock moving elements in thereconfigurable sled.

FIG. 7 graphically depicts an exemplary image taken by a mobile devicein a reconfigurable sled showing the visible markings of the mirror.

FIG. 8 graphically depicts a flow chart of an exemplary method to enablea mobile device mounted in the reconfigurable sled for indicia reading.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A scanning sled is like a case for a mobile device but has capabilitiesto enhance the mobile device's functionality. Barcode scanning, forexample, may be enabled by the scanning sled. In this regard, dedicatedbatteries, electronics, and optics, may be integrated into this scanningsled. The scanning sled may be electrically connected and/orcommunicatively coupled wirelessly with the mobile device, and themobile device may run software (i.e., applications) that configures thescanning sled and/or mobile device. The scanning sled is alsoergonomically designed to help a user handle the device in a convenientand intuitive way. For example, indicia readers are typically designedto function in a “point-and-shoot” fashion. As a result, the scanningsled is typically configured to scan barcodes in a direction along thelong edge of the mobile device.

Scanning sleds may be complicated electronic devices and may beexpensive to design and manufacture. Since these devices may becustomized to accommodate a particular mobile device, this could meanobsolesce within a few years in today's rapidly changing mobile devicemarket. Rather than designing expensive scanning sleds for a changingmarket, a more cost efficient strategy would be to design a simpler sledand utilize more of the features of the mobile device. Today's mobiledevices have sophisticated electronics and have reached a point wheremany scanning sled functions may be easily performed by the mobiledevice. Therefore, the present invention addresses the need for a sledthat has the performance and ergonomics of an active scanning sled butwithout the added cost and bulkiness.

An exemplary mobile device is shown in FIG. 1. The mobile device 1 isconfigured with a graphical user interface (GUI) 2 on its front surface3. A camera 4 and its flash (i.e., illuminator) 5 is typically locatedon the back surface 6. The sides 7 of the mobile device are typicallymade longer to make holding convenient. In a normal imaging operation,the mobile device is held with the front surface 3 and GUI 2 facing theuser, and the back surface 6 is held facing the target. The user mayhold the mobile device either vertically or horizontally to take apicture. A stream of images is typically portrayed on the GUI and a usercaptures an image by pressing a soft button presented on the GUI. Theimaging direction is perpendicular to the back surface 6. This normalimaging configuration is suitable for occasional images but is notconvenient for repetitive barcode scanning.

As mentioned previously when describing the sled, a point-and-shootconfiguration is more desirable for indicia reading. To achieve thisindicia reading imaging configuration, the mobile device's 1 imagingmust be redirected. The direction for indicia reading is typically alongthe long dimension of the mobile device and away from the top surface 8.With the imaging aligned in this direction, a user may hold the mobiledevice 1 like a television remote control. To scan a barcode, a usercould (i) hold the mobile device so that the GUI 2 faces the user, (ii)point the top surface 8 of the mobile device at the barcode (i.e.,bottom surface 9 away from the barcode), and (iii) interact with indiciareading software running on the mobile device 1 via the GUI 2 toinitiate a scan.

A fixed optical redirection adapter may be used for this redirecting theimaging, and such an apparatus has been disclosed (e.g.,US20140232930A1). This approach, however, does not provide thefunctionality of the scanning sled and does not permit the mobile deviceto image normally unless the apparatus is removed. The redirectionadapter does not interact with the mobile device. For example, there isno feedback to alert a user that it has been installed incorrectly. Inaddition, the mobile device must be configured manually to read indicia(e.g., turn on the illuminator or aimer). Therefore, the presentinvention also addresses the need for a sled that (i) has the simplicityof a fixed optical redirection adapter, (ii) does not limit the use ofthe mobile device's camera, and (iii) can interact with anindicia-reading application on the mobile device.

The present invention embraces a reconfigurable case/adapter (i.e.,sled) to enable a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, PDA, etc.) toscan barcodes (i.e., read indicia). An exemplary embodiment of areconfigurable sled 10 for a mobile device is shown in FIG. 2. There aretwo main components in the sled: a frame 11 and a cover 12. The frame 11encloses the sides 7 of the mobile device but may have apertures 13 toallow a user to interact with the mobile device's controls. The framecovers just the edges of the mobile device's front surface 3 to allowfor interaction with the GUI 2. There are guides (e.g., slots) on eitherside of the frame 11 that serve as tracks to hold the cover 12 to theframe 11 while allowing the cover 12 to slide along the guide.

In the exemplary embodiment of the reconfigurable sled shown in FIG. 2,a mobile device 1 may be installed into the sled by first placing themobile device into the frame. Next, the cover 12 may be engaged with theframe guides (e.g., held by the guides while permitting movement) andslid over the back surface 6 to hold the mobile device in the frame.

The cover 12 may be composed of a plurality of panels connected byhinges (i.e., hingedly connected panels 14). In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the top most hinged panel of the cover is the window panel 15.The window panel 15 is hingedly attached to the frame on the top edge.The window panel 15 is configured with a window 16 through which thecamera and illuminator may transmit/receive light. In some embodiments,the window aperture may be covered by a window. This window could betransparent (i.e., glass, fused silica, etc.) or could filter (i.e.,color) the light of the illuminator. The filtering could cover all or aportion of the window aperture. In some embodiments, the window couldhave a pattern applied (e.g., painted, etched, deposited, etc.) to asurface (e.g., as part of an aimer subsystem).

The mirror panel 17 is hingedly connected to the bottom edge of thewindow panel 15. The mirror panel 17 has a reflective element (e.g.,mirror, prism, etc.) that is attached to the mirror panel surface facingthe back surface 6 of the mobile device. When the mirror panel 17 israised to form an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) with the back surface 6 ofthe mobile device it folds (i.e., redirects) the imaging direction ofthe camera 5 (e.g., 90 degrees). In other words, the camera'sfield-of-view may be repositioned by the mirror.

A slider panel 18 is hingedly connected to the lower edge of the mirrorpanel. The sides of the slider panel are engaged (i.e., fit into) theguides that are formed into the sides of the frame. The slider panel maybe slid along the frame in order to change the positions of the windowpanel 15 and the mirror panel 17. A user may slide the panel alongmanually, or the panel movement may be aided by a spring or a motor. Ifaided by a spring or motor, then the movement may be triggered by aswitch (e.g., button) integrated in the case or by a signal from themobile device as part of an application (e.g., soft button).

The cover of the sled is typically configured into one of two possibleconfigurations. The imaging directions for the two configurationsrelative to the mobile device are shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, afirst configuration allows the mobile device to image normally. Theimaging direction is normal to the back surface 6 of the mobile device.A second configuration realigns the imaging direction so that it normalto the top surface 8 of the mobile device 1.

A possible embodiment of the reconfigurable sled is shown in FIG. 4. Inthe first configuration 20. The panels of the cover 12 lie flat over theback of the mobile device 1. The window 16 is positioned over the cameraso that the mobile device 1 may image normally. The slider panel may beslid towards the top of the mobile device into order to form the secondconfiguration 21. In the second configuration, a mirror 22 attached toone of the hinged panels is moved into the camera's field-of-view. Themirror 22 folds the camera's optical path but still uses the window 16,which also is folded at an angle with respect to the mobile device(e.g., 90 degrees).

Another possible embodiment of the reconfigurable sled is shown in FIG.5. Here the mirror 22 is mounted via spring-loaded hinge to a slidingpanel. A lens 23 is integrated with the mirror and is used for adjustingthe focus of the camera 4 (e.g., shorten the minimum focus distance)when the mirror is moved into the camera's field-of-view. As the panelholding the mirror 22 and lens 23 is slid towards the camera 4, themirror 22 is repositioned in order to redirect the camera's and/orilluminator's optical path.

The motion of reconfigurable sled's movable parts may be limited bylocking mechanisms. In this way, the sled may be moved into a firstconfiguration (i.e., normal mode) or second configuration (i.e.,scanning mode) and held there until a user changes the configuration. Apossible embodiment of a locking mechanism is shown in FIG. 6. Here aspring-loaded 24 locking element 25 (e.g., pin, ball, etc.) may beconfigured in a moving part 26 in order to lock the moving part 26 to afixed part 27. As the moving part 26 is moved into place, its lockingelement 25 is received by a mating locking feature 28 (e.g., detent) inthe fixed part 27. It should be noted that the term “locking”, as it isused here, implies holding the moving parts in place so that movementout of place is made more difficult but not impossible. In other words,the motion of the locked parts due to typical mobile device use islimited, but a directed effort to move the locked parts is possiblewithout strain. It should also be noted that the moving and fixed partsdescribed might be reversed without any loss of locking functionality.

The mobile device may be configured to run software (i.e., applications)to perform tasks related to the reconfigurable sled's configuration.Indicia reading, for example, is one (but not the only) possible taskthat may be enabled by the reconfigurable sled. To facilitate this,visible markings, are applied to the mirror (e.g., ink print, lasermarking, etc.). The mobile device may acquire images and process them inorder to detect the presence and/or location of these markings in theimages. The presence of the markings could indicate that the mirror isin the optical path of the mobile device camera. The location of themarkings could indicate that the mirror is installed properly.

An exemplary image acquired by a mobile device with a mirror 22 in thecamera's optical path is illustrated in FIG. 7. The exemplary image 30is of a package 31 with a barcode 33. Here, the presence of the visiblemarkings 32 could indicate (e.g., to an application running on themobile device) that this image 30 was taken with the mirror 22 in thecamera's optical path. In response, the mobile device may be configuredto start/stop an application/process or change some hardware setting inorder to facilitate a function (e.g., indicia reading). For example, anindicia-reading application could be launched to detect, scan, anddecode at least one barcode 33 in the image 30. In another exemplaryembodiment, the markings could trigger the activation of the camera'silluminator. In another exemplary embodiment, the markings could causethe acquired images to be processed (e.g., rotated) to accommodate themirror 22. In still another exemplary embodiment, the markings couldtrigger an adjustment of algorithms (e.g., autofocus algorithms)controlling the focus of the lens on the mobile device (e.g., to makeindicia reading faster).

A flowchart of an exemplary method to enable the mobile device mountedin a reconfigurable sled for indicia reading is shown in FIG. 8. In thismethod, images are acquired by the mobile device's imaging subsystem 40.A mirror with visible markings is moved into the camera's field-of-viewto change the imaging direction of the camera 41. If the visiblemarkings are detected and properly located in the acquired images 42,then the mobile device is enabled for indicia reading 43. If the visiblemarkings are not detected then no action may be taken. Alternatively, ifthe visible markings are detected but not properly located, then anerror message may be generated to alert a user and/or prompt the user toadjust the reconfigurable sled in order to configure the mirrorproperly.

The mobile device, reconfigurable sled, and indicia reading applicationrunning on the mobile device may work together to form an indiciareading system. There are multiple possible embodiments for this system.For example, while the present invention is typically a passive device,having communication using visible markings, some other possibleembodiments could include an active sled.

In an active sled, an electrical connection and/or communication couldexist between the sled and the mobile device. In addition, an activesled might have an energy source (e.g., battery) to power someadditional features. Such additional features could include, but are notlimited to, projecting an aiming pattern onto a target for alignment ormoving the mirror via a motion control subsystem. The aiming subsystemcould include an aimer light source for generating light. In someembodiments, this light source could be the illuminator 5 of the mobiledevice, while in other embodiments this light source could be separatefrom the mobile device and integrate with the sled (e.g., light emittingdiode, laser diode, etc.). This aimer light source could be powered bythe mobile device's battery or by a battery external to the mobiledevice. For embodiments using the illuminator 5, a filter may be used tochange the illuminator's color to provide some advantage in aiming(e.g., to make the aimer light source light stand out from thebackground)

The aimer subsystem could also include an aimer aperture covering theaimer light source to shape the light into an aiming pattern (e.g.,line, cross hair, box, etc.). Suitable aiming patterns could provideinformation corresponding to the orientation and spatial extend of thecamera's field-of-view so that when projected onto a target help a useralign the mobile device. An aimer lens could be included toproject/focus the light from the aimer aperture onto the target.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporatesentirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patentapplication publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited tosuch exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes anyand all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Thefigures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawnto scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in ageneric and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A case for a mobile device, comprising: aframe for holding a mobile device comprising guides running along twosides; and a cover comprising a plurality of hinged panels having sidesthat engage with the guides so that the panels are slideable along theguides, wherein in a first configuration, two of the hinged panels foldto form a peak over the mobile device's back surface and redirect themobile device's camera's field-of-view using a reflective elementaffixed to one of the folded hinged panels, the reflective elementcomprising a mirror with visible markings for indicating that the mirroris in the camera's field of view.
 2. The case according to claim 1,wherein in a second configuration, the hinged panels lie flat over themobile device's back surface and permits the camera an unobstructedview.
 3. The case according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thehinged panels from amongst the plurality of hinged panels is attached tothe frame at one end.
 4. The case according to claim 1, wherein thecamera comprises an illuminator and light from the illuminator isredirected by the reflective element in the first configuration.
 5. Thecase according to claim 1, wherein the hinged panels comprise: a windowpanel having an aperture for the camera to image through, the windowpanel hingedly attached to the frame along the window panel's top edge;a mirror panel configured with a reflective element for folding thecamera's imaging direction, the mirror panel hingedly attached to thewindow panel's bottom edge; and a slider panel for repositioning thewindow panel and the mirror panel, the slider panel hingedly attached tothe mirror panel's bottom edge and engaged on the slider panel's sidesby the frame's guides so that (i) the slider panel is free to slidewithin the guides and (ii) the slider panel holds the mobile device inthe frame.
 6. The case according to claim 1, wherein an applicationrunning on the mobile device senses the visible markings and configuresthe mobile device for indicia reading.
 7. The case according to claim 6,wherein the application running on the mobile device senses the visiblemarkings and configures the mobile device to trigger the activation ofthe illuminator.
 8. The case according to claim 6, wherein theapplication running on the mobile device senses the visible markings andconfigures the mobile device to control focus of a lens on the mobiledevice.
 9. A case for a mobile device, comprising: a frame for holding amobile device with a camera, the frame comprising guides running alongtwo sides; and a cover comprising a plurality of hinged panels havingsides that engage with the guides so that the panels are slideable alongthe guides and foldable into different configurations, wherein in afirst configuration, two of the hinged panels fold to form a peak overthe mobile device's back surface and redirect the camera's field-of-viewusing a reflective element affixed to one of the folded hinged panels;and wherein the hinged panels comprise: a window panel having anaperture for the camera to image through, the window panel hingedlyattached to the frame along the window panel's top edge; a mirror panelconfigured with a reflective element for folding the camera's imagingdirection, the mirror panel hingedly attached to the window panel'sbottom edge; and a slider panel for repositioning the window panel andthe mirror panel, the slider panel hingedly attached to the mirrorpanel's bottom edge and engaged on the slider panel's sides by theframe's guides so that (i) the slider panel is free to slide within theguides and (ii) the slider panel holds the mobile device in the frame.10. The case according to claim 9, wherein mirror panel comprises a lensto reduce the minimum focus distance of the camera.
 11. The caseaccording to claim 9, wherein the first configuration comprises thewindow panel folded 90 degrees with respect to the mobile device's backsurface and the mirror panel is folded 45 degrees with respect to theback surface so that camera's field-of-view is redirected by thereflective element 90 degrees through the window panel aperture.
 12. Thecase according to claim 9, wherein the slider panel and guides areconfigured with a locking mechanism to lock the cover into either thefirst configuration or the second configuration.
 13. The case accordingto claim 9, wherein the cover may be moved into the first configurationor the second configuration by one of pressing a button located on thesled or by a signal from the mobile device as part of the application.14. An indicia reading system, comprising: a mobile device comprising acamera, an illuminator, and a processor configured for runningapplications; a case for holding the mobile device and enabled to changeimaging characteristics of the mobile device, the case comprising amirror to redirect an imaging direction of the camera when the mirror ismoved into a field-of-view of the camera, the mirror having visiblemarkings that appear in images of the field-of-view reflected from themirror; and an indicia reading application running on the mobile device,the indicia reading application configuring the mobile device to (i)acquire images, (ii) analyze the acquired images for the visiblemarkings, and (iii) adjust the mobile device for changing at least onesettings if the visible markings are detected.
 15. The indicia readingsystem according to claim 14, comprising a lens integrated with the casefor adjusting the focus of the camera when the mirror is moved into thecamera's field-of-view.
 16. The indicia reading system according toclaim 14, wherein the visible markings cause the acquired images to berotated in order to accommodate the mirror.
 17. The indicia readingsystem according to claim 14, wherein the at least one settings is asetting to activate indicia reading.
 18. The indicia reading systemaccording to claim 14, comprising a motion control subsystem for movingthe mirror, the motion control subsystem electrically coupled to themobile device and controllable by the indicia reading application. 19.The indicia reading system according to claim 18, wherein an aimersubsystem is electrically coupled to the mobile device and controllableby the indicia reading application.
 20. The indicia reading systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the application running on the mobiledevice is to: generate an alert when the application fails to locate thevisible markings on the acquired images; and prompt user to adjust thecase in order to configure the mirror to locate the visible markings inthe acquired images.